Mullingar to host pivotal PD conference

A national Progressive Democrats conference, at which the future of the party will be decided, is to take place in Mullingar this weekend.

The Mullingar Park Hotel will host the decisive meeting this Saturday, November 8, at which party members will be asked to vote on a change to the party’s constitution.

Up to 300 members of the PDs, including Minister for Health, Mary Harney, will vote on a proposal from the leadership, which, if approved, will allow the party to wind up.

Many party members believe the PDs have gone as far as they can go as a party, as they are no longer able to elect sufficient TDs to the Dail. However, particularly in the Limerick East constituency, some members have argued that the party should remain in existence.

A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said this week that the Government post of Minister Harney would be decided after the result of the PD conference is known, saying they would wait and see what the PDs decide. Minister Harney has refused to comment on recent speculation as to whether she is planning to step down as Health Minister, irrespective of the outcome of the weekend’s deliberations.

The conference is scheduled to get underway at the Mullingar Park Hotel by mid-morning on Saturday.